Bombardier did not harm rival Boeing, US court rules

Aircraft manufacturer Bombardier (Toronto: BBD-A.TO - news) has won its case against plans to impose tariffs of nearly 300% on its imports to America.

The US International Trade Commission (ITC (BSE: ITC.BO - news) ) ruled that rival manufacturer Boeing (NYSE: BA - news) was not harmed by Delta Airlines' order of Bombardier's C-Series passenger jets.

The decision effectively blocks US government proposals to slap 292% tariffs on Bombardier, which risked hundreds of jobs in Northern Ireland where the jets' wings are made.

Bombardier, which employs more than 4,000 people in Belfast and contributes an estimated £400m to the Northern Ireland economy, said the C-Series jet was "critical" to its operations there.

Sky News' Ireland Correspondent David Blevins said the ruling "lifts the cloud completely for the 1,000 employees who feared for their jobs".

He added: "East Belfast - where the jobs were at risk - is a DUP constituency and the Prime Minister had raised this issue with President Trump on several occasions."

In a statement, Bombardier said the ITC's decision was a "victory for innovation, competition, and the rule of law".

"The C-Series is the most innovative and efficient new aircraft in a generation," it said.

"Its development and production represent thousands of jobs in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom."

Steve Turner, Unite assistant general secretary, said Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland would be "breathing a huge sigh of relief" after the ITC had "seen through Boeing's baseless complaint".

"There can be no backsliding from the US government on this decision," he said.

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